Methods and compositions for enhancing the growth of fish and shellfish

Abstract

Methods and compositions for enhancing weight gain and/or feed efficiency in fish and shellfish are disclosed. The methods include administering an agent, such as an antibody, which reduces the bioavailability in fish or shellfish of a prostaglandin or leukotriene lipid precursor. The methods also include administering an antibody which enhances weight gain by at least 10%, improves feeding efficiency by at least 5%, or both. Fish and shellfish food comprising antibodies as described herein are also disclosed.

1 . A composition comprising fish or shellfish food and an antibody that reduces the bioavailability of a prostaglandin or leukotriene lipid precursor, wherein the antibody is present in an effective amount for increasing weight gain or feed efficiency in fish and shellfish administered the antibody compared to fish or shellfish not administered the antibody. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is anti-phospholipase A 2 , anti-CD14 or anti-Toll 4 receptor antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fish food comprises synthetic or plant-derived proteins. 
     
     
         4 . The compositions of  claim 1 , wherein the fish food comprises synthetic or plant-derived lipids. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the fish food comprises fat and protein. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises by weight from 30% to 65% protein and from 5% to 25% fat. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein an egg preparation comprises the antibody. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises fom about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of the egg preparation. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a vegetable oil coating. 
     
     
         10 . Thie composition of  claim 9 , wherein the vegetable oil coating comprises from about 1% to about 5% vegetable oil. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising administering to fish or shellfish an antibody that reduces the bioavailability of a prostaglandin or leukotriene lipid precursor in an amount effective to increase feed efficiency and/or weight gain compared to fish or shellfish which have not been administered the antibody. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody is administered as a composition comprising fish food. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody is administered to a fish selected from trout, tilapia, perch, catfish, salmon, bass, sunfish, and baitfish. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody is administered to a shellfish selected from shrimp, prawns, mussels, clams, oysters, lobster, crab, and crayfish. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the weight gain of the fish or shellfish is at least 10% relative to fish or shellfish not administered the composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody is an anti-phospholipase A 2 , anti-CD14 or anti-Toll 4 receptor antibody. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the feed efficiency is increased at least 5% relative to fish or shellfish not administered the composition. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising administering to a fish or a shellfish an antibody that enhances weight gain by the fish or shellfish by at least 10%, improves feeding efficiency by at least 5%, or both compared to untreated fish. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the antibody is an anti-phospholipase A2, anti-CD14 or anti-Toll 4 receptor antibody. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the antibody is administered by feeding it to the fish or shellfish in food.